Partners in crime

Moving to quickly

As Johanna waved off the last customer that left Mrs Lovett's shop tonight she was grateful that now they were closed she was able to spend some time with Anthony. She had taken charge again of the restaurant after Nellie and Toby were reunited.

Mrs Lovett had practically wizzed Toby off to the living room bombarding with him questions and giving him plenty of hugs and kisses now he was back under her roof. Sweeney had almost felt sorry for the young boy as Nellie had yanked him into her at one point his face suffocated between her bosom as she cried happy tears of his return.

Anthony had taken it upon himself to sit down with Johanna's father and explain his plans for the future. They had sat up in his barber shop sharing a glass of gin while discussing where himself and Johanna may flee...

The talk had been a difficult one for the barber, after all it would mean him giving up his daughter once again. But the judge was still alive and until he could kill the bastard Johanna still wasn't completely safe here in London.

Anthony had told Sweeney of a cosy little cottage in the south of France where he and Johanna would stay. It all seemed to be dealt with and sorted but Anthony still needed Sweeney's final approval before moving forward. The barber of course had agreed thinking only of his daughters interest but there was no denying his heart sunk knowing he would have to say goodbye once again to his precious Johanna.

"Another thing Mr Todd" Anthony muttered with a small gulp anxious of his next question. Sweeney looked at the young boy and sipped at his drink waiting for him to continuing.

"I would like to ask your permission to your daughters hand"

Removing the glass from his lips slowly Sweeney looked into Anthony's youthful gaze. He could almost see his younger self in those eyes, so full of naivety and young love. Johanna would be 17 soon and Anthony did love his daughter after all. Johanna had grown into such a beautiful lady and now as it seemed a future wife.

"Sir?" Anthony pushed gently seeing the far off gaze in the barbers eyes.

Clearing his throat and throwing down the remains of his drink Sweeney hissed at the bitter sting of the alcohol before nodding slowly.

"If you so wish" He murmured lowly much to Anthony's excitement.

Sweeney began to fill his glass again when Anthony's excitement suddenly jogged him.

"Oh thank you Mr Todd!" The young sailor jumped up excitedly "Thank you indeed, I promise to make a good husband for her" Anthony had taken Sweeney's hand and shook it much to the barbers surprise and before he could say anything else the young sailor had left the shop with a spring in his step.

As his door closed behind him Sweeney sat back in his barbers chair and swigged around the remaining gin in his glass. Things seemed to be moving quickly all over again, he couldn't tell if it was a good or bad thing. The idea of marriage still left a sour taste in his mouth, Johanna was very much like a young Lucy and Anthony a charming young boy with nothing but love in his heart....much again like he was once.

But it ended in disaster, he just hoped that life for his daughter would be a kinder one. Turpin ripped everything from him but what he did give him was a backbone and for that Sweeney would never allow his family to be hurt again.

The sound of his door burst open again only this time it was Mrs Lovett on a mission it seemed.

"Whatcha doin broodin' up ere? Come down love and join everyone with me" she fussed as usual making her way over to him and taking his hand practically pulling him from his chair.

Re moving his hand from hers he stood staring at her now concerned eyes.

"What's wrong?" She fussed in her usual way that made him all the more irritated.